Typographical composing-machine.



M. BUTTGER.

TYPOGRAPHICAL GOMPOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.16,1911.

1,079,101 Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

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MAX BOTTGER, OF BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING-MAOHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 16, 1911.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913. Serial No. 644,410.

To all 207mm 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, Max Borrow, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at Steinmetzstrasse 9, Berlin, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Typographical Composing- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in typographical composing machines, especially in those of the Mergenthaler type.

It consists in improved means for dealing with copy in which a certain character, such as e, occurs so frequently that the operator at the keyboard of the machine, is faced with the risk that his depressing the finger key for that character, will not be followed by the release of a corresponding matrix from the magazine, for the reason that, at that moment, all the corresponding matrices are out of the magazine, that is, either in the assembling mechanism, the casting mechanism or the distributing mechanism.

The term character is, for the purpose of this specification, to be understood as including spaces which might not be considered characters in the strict meaning of the term, inasmuch as they do not print. An American compositor emphasizes by composing in an italic face, but a German compositor emphasizes by inserting a hair space between each two adjacent letters, and as he may have to emphasize an entire paragraph or even a page, it is clear that the risk will be a very real one for him. So the present invention provides for frequently occurring matrices whether their characters do or do not print. It has been already proposed to prevent this risk by equipping a plurality of matrix channels in the magazine, with matrices of the said character, in combination with an automatic shift adapted to connect the respective finger key with the cscapements of the said channels in a regular se quence.

The present invention consists in combin ing with the above mentioned plurality of matrix channels, a like number of finger keys, each controlling the escapement of only one channel but controlling it independently of the other keys and a special finger key controlling the escapements of all the channels and actuating them in a regular sequence, through a switcl This gives the operator a choice of finger keys. For instance, if there are three channels, there are three independent finger keys and one special finger key. The three independent finger keys are, prefcrably, not grouped together on the keyboard, but one distributed thereon at equal distances from the center. \Vhon there is only a small proportion of the certain characters above described in his copy, the opera tor can advantageously depress any one of the independent linger keys, their distribution over the keyboard placing one of them at approximately a mean distance from the finger key last depressed, saves his time by preventing his having to hunt over the key board for an independent key. But if the said proportion is considerable, he should depress the special key and the switch will automatically do the rest.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a convenient construction al form of the invention for a machine of the llfcrgenthaler type. Fig. 2, a plan of the switch, and Fig. 3, a detail side elevation of part of the switch.

1, 1, are parts of the keyboard frame; 2, 3, 4-, the three independent finger keys; 4, 5, (3, their respective key rods; '7, 8, 9, their respective escapement rods; 10, 11, a pair of cam carriages and 12, 13, a pair of cam tumblers for two of the three finger keys; and 14, 15, the cam carriage rollers. Each of the above mentioned parts is, individually, of the well known Mergenthaler construction. i

For the purpose of the present invention, there are not only as many independent finger keys 2, 3, or 1, as matrix channels equipped with matrices of the frequently occurring character (as already stated) but there is an independent connection bet-ween each independent finge key and the matrix escapementon the respective channel. Neither the said escapements nor channels are included in the drawings they are of the well known lllergenthaler construction. This is why there are three key rods and three escapemcnt rods in Fig. 1. Only two cam carriages and tumblers are visible, the respective third being hidden by one of the others.

16 is a shaft parallel with the row of key rods 4, 5, and (3, extending past them and turning (only) in two hangers 17, 17, fixed to the keyboard frame 1.

18, 19 and 20 are disks fast upon the shaft 16, one disk in the plane of each key rod.

21 is a ratchet wheel likewise fast on the shaft 16.

22 is the special finger key and 23 is a pawl pivoted on it and held as by a counterweight 24: in engagement with the ratchet wheel 21, the arrangement being such that the depression oi the special key 22 makes the pawl 23 turn the ratchet wheel 21 for the distance of one tooth.

. Each disk l8, 19, 20, is charged with the duty of raising the respective key rod 45, 5, 6 to secure the actuation of the respective matrix escapement. To enable it to do this, each disk has the same number of cams 25 on its periphery. A nose 26 carried by a projection 27 on each key rod, engages with each of the said peripheries. Each nose is, preferably, adjustable in a vertical sense and, for that reason, may be a screw.

The arcual length of a cam 25 is the pitch of the wheel 21 multiplied by the number of matrix channels concerned. This numher, in the constructional form illustrated, is three so that the arcual length of each cam 25 is that of three teeth of the wheel 21 as shown in Fig. 1. The cams 25 are staggered on the shaft 16 relatively to each other, the degree of this staggering corresponding with the pitch of the ratchet wheel 21. The shaft 16 and the parts fast on itconstitute a switch which actuates the respective matrix escapements in automatic sequence. Thus, the depression of either of the independent finger keys actuates the respective matrix escapement in the usual way to effect the release of a matrix for a frequently occurring character. And a depression of the special finger key 22 makes the cam 25, then under a nose 26, raise the respective key rod e 5 or 6, thereby efifiecting the release of a matrix for the said character. It the last me tioned depression of the special finger key 22 raised the key rod P, the next depression of it will raise the key rod 5, and the next depression the key rod 6, acting through a cam 25 on the disks 18, 19 or 20 respectively.

Having described my invention I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z 1. In a typographical composing machine, the combination or" a plurality or matrix channels equipped with matrices for the same character; a finger key for each channel acting independently of the others, the finger keys being distributed over the keyboard; matrix-releasing connection between each finger key and channel; and a special finger key controlling all the said matrixreleasing connections and channels and releasing matrices from one of them and one alone, at each depression of the key.

2. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix channels all equipped with matrices of the same character; an independent matrix releasing connection between each of the said 7 channels and the keyboard; a finger key controlling all the said connections; and a switch between the saidkey and connections actuated by each depression of the said key and auton'iatically selecting the connection to be actuated in respect of sequence with reference to the others and actuating it and it alone.

8. In a typographical composing machine,

the combination with a plurality of matrix channels, independent matrix-releasing connections between them and the keyboard, and a finger key controlling all the said connections, of a rotating switch turned intermittently by the engagement at each depression of the finger key of a pawl on the latter with a ratchet wheel on the switch, and comprising for each ing cams proportioned to the pitch of the said wheel, the disks and wheel being fast together and the cams on one disk staggered relatively to those on the other, the parts being so arranged that one releasing connection and one only is actuated at each depression of the key.

t. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement actuating devices, separate finger keys for operating said devices independently, and an additional finger key for operating said devices, one and one only at each operation of said additional key, in a definite repeating order of succession.

5. In a. typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of poweroperated escapement actuating devices, separate finger keys for controlling the actuation of said devices independently, and an additional finger key for causing their actuation, one and one only at each operation of said additional key, in a definite repeating order of succession.

6. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement actuating reeds, a finger key and an operating device controlled by the finger key to actuate said reeds, one only at each operation of the finger key, the said device being formed with difi erently located members to engage the reeds in succession.

7. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement actuating reeds, a finger key and an operating device controlled by the finger key formed with engaging members so arranged as to engage and actuate the reeds in succession, one only at each operation of the finger key.

8. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement actuating reeds, a finger key and a rotatable operating device controlled by the finger key formed with a series oi": cams or projections arranged in staggered relation to connection, a disk hav each other so as to engage and actuate the reeds in succession, one only at each operation of the finger key.

S). In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement actuating reeds, a finger key and an operating device rotated periodically by the finger key to effect the actuation of the said reeds, one only at each operation of the finger key, said device being formed with a series of cams or projections which are sueeessively brought into engaging relation to the reeds by the rotation of said device.

10. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapenient actuating reeds, a finger key and a shiftable device actuated by the finger key for operating said reeds in succession, one only at each operation of the finger key, the said device being formed with members to engage and actuate one or another of the reeds according to the position of the device. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

MAX BOTTGER. lVitnesses HENRY HAsPnR, onnmnxn HAUPT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

